I was going to focus on my knee problem with this post today, but then I decided it’s too depressing (not to mention boring as hell to read about), so instead, I thought I’d write a post regarding things that make me happy, since it’s such a rainy, dreary day outside.

We’ll start with one knee related item (yeah, sorry about that, just a little). I’ve been assigned a new worker’s comp administrator who is now in charge of my case. I absolutely adore her, not just because she keeps me up to date on a regular basis as to what is going on with my case, but also because she disagrees with the denial I received and is planning on overturning it just as soon as she receives the full report from my orthopedic surgeon.

Even though it doesn’t much look like it, it’s now officially spring, and that means lots and lots of flowers. I’ve always loved having flowers around because they’re so bright and cheerful, and usually smell beautiful. Every day I tell myself that I’m going to stop by a florist and pick up a bouquet for my desk, but then I realize that everyone is still closed when I leave for work at 5:30am. I guess I’ll have to buy them the night before and bring them in the morning.

It rained again overnight. I know most of my friends in the rest of the country are miserable from the horrid weather this past winter, but I’m stuck in San Diego, where the weather is usually dull and predictable, so when we do get the occasional rain, it’s always a happy thing for me. I love the feel of walking through the rain and how fresh and clean everything smells once the rain has passed. It’s a sad fact that we’re so used to the terrible pollution stench here that we don’t even notice it until it has rained and the sky turns a bright blue and the air smells wonderful.

I haven’t done any baking recently, but it’s on my list of things I’d like to do this coming weekend, to celebrate my change in schedule. The last time I baked was for my birthday back in early February, and I have a recipe for a sour cream coffee cake that’s been percolating in my mind for the past few days that I’d like to try baking.

I’ll just add one more item, to make it five altogether. For today, the final thing that makes me happy and brings a smile to my face is my cat Tiggy. He always knows when I’m having a bad day or feeling down, and starts clowning around until I give in and rub his belly, and it usually snaps me out of my bad mood. I also adore the fact that he likes to snuggle right up against me while I’m sleeping.

So there you go; five things that make me happy right now. There are many other things, and I’ll probably get around to listing them someday, so that on those days when I’m feeling really down, I can always look back at these lists and realize that there are always things that make me happy; I just need to think about them instead of what is bothering me.

I have no idea what to expect. The last thing I heard was that his submission to get my surgery/PT approved was denied because I haven’t done any PT or tried anything “less invasive” prior to going to surgery as an option. Somehow, they missed the fact that they had approved me for 18 sessions of PT, which I went to, as well as icing it, taking anti-inflammatories, and generally just staying off of it. I submitted the paperwork to appeal the decision, but haven’t heard anything back yet. I’m just so frustrated with this whole process that I’m about ready to throw in the towel and say forget everything and I’ll just deal with one more permanent pain in my life. This is just a little vent. I’ll try to remember to get back on here and post a follow up as to what actually happened at the Dr’s office today.

UPDATE: We tried a cortisone injection today in my knee to see if that would help. It provided temporary relief (think 3 days) before the pain got much worse and the swelling has increased exponentially.